If you can read other people's emotions, be careful not get sucked in them.
Read them, know them, understand them, but remember they are not your emotions.
Do not apply them to you.
Create filter or a shield around you.
There is also grounding, where you let the energy pass through you into the Earth.?
http://kinhost.org/wiki/Crisses/GettingAFeelForEmpathy
More info, also filters or shields text.
http://www.bellaonline.org/articles/art34676.asp
Search Google for: empath grounding and shielding.